Niger Delta

HYPREP Hands Over New Sites To Contractors

Published

7 years ago

May 24, 2019

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), has handed over five additional oil spill impacted sites to contractors for the clean-up of Ogoniland, thus, bringing to 21 the total sites so far handed over to contractors in the first phase of the implementation of the clean-up of environmental impacted sites across four Ogoni local government areas in Rivers State.
The handover ceremony was held in Alode Eleme Community and Korokoro Tai Community on Wednesday, with three of the sites located in the Eleme community. Only four of the five approved sites by the Federal Executive Council were, however, handed over to the contractors and they included Lots 4,7, 8 and 16, while the fifth is expected to be handed over on a later date.
The companies which won the contracts for the handover sites include R.D.K. Environmental Ecological Solutions Limited, Avondale Services and Supplies Limited, Giolee Global Resources Limited and New Line West African Limited.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr Marvin Dekil, urged the contractors to adhere strictly to laid down regulations in accordance with international best practices.
Dekil, who represented the Minister of Environment, Surveyor Suleiman Hassan Zarma noted that the contractors went through rigorous screening before their selection, having met all the requirements including the needed experience, and enjoined them to bring to bear their experience on the project by delivering to the Ogoni people a fertile and clean land.
He noted that all necessary structures have been put in place to ensure the successful implementation of the clean-up project, to deliver remediated sites to the people and restore their livelihoods, and urged Ogoni people to embrace the project.
“This project brings great economic opportunities to the people of Ogoniland. I therefore, urge you to take full advantage of these opportunities and continue to remain peaceful and resolute in your support to the project,” he pleaded.
Meanwhile, Mr Lesi Maiz of Giolee Global Services Limited, who spoke on behalf of the three contractors handling the three new sites in Alode Eleme Community, promised to adhere and keep all the terms of the contract agreement.
This is even as the contractor handling the Lot 16 site in Korokoro Tai Community, the Managing Director of New Line West African Limited, Mr Chijioke Ozoemena assured that the company would not fail in delivering the project as well as carrying along the people of the community in the execution of the project.
On his part, the President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers and Gbene-Mene of Tai Kingdom, King Godwin Giniwa, while assuring the contractors of the support and cooperation of the people of the area, stressed the need for the Ogonis to be given a fair deal in the implementation of the UNEP Report.
His Alode Eleme community counterpart, Emere Don Awalah assured the contractors of the community’s support and cooperation but urged them to ensure that youths of the area are engaged and given their entitlements including paying them for their services.
In his remarks, a member of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Dr. Peter Medee decried the attempts by some individuals in Ogoniland, he described as commercial activists to blackmail and sabotage the clean-up project, insisting that such attempts would fail, as HYPREP was determined to deliver on its mandate.
Medee assured that funds would not constitute any problem in the execution of the clean-up project, and urged Ogonis to continue to support the project. Contrary to insinuations, he said, the clean-up project was real.
The Director of Remediation, Mrs Annu Basil represented the Federal Ministry of Environment at the occasion.

Donatus Ebi

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.